Save Time & Money: The 2026 Snow Monkey Pass
Why Choose the Snow Monkey Pass?
The Snow Monkey Pass is the essential all-in-one ticket for travelers visiting the Jigokudani Monkey Park via public transport. Sold by Nagano Dentetsu (Nagaden), this pass covers your transport and park admission in one cost-effective bundle, allowing you to bypass ticket lines and enjoy a seamless journey from Nagano Station.
Important Seasonal Notes:
- Winter Sales: Online purchase for the 2025/26 winter season begins December 6th, 2025.
- Blackout Dates: Please note the pass is not available during October and November.
Most visitors begin their journey at Nagano Station. Whether you are visiting for the famous winter "snow monkeys" or exploring the other monkey times of year in the lush green seasons, for those intending to make the journey using public transport, the pass offers a primary advantage:
- Cost Savings: Bundling your train/bus fare with park entry is cheaper than buying individual tickets
Compare 2026 Snow Monkey Pass Options: Train or Express Bus Cost and Coverage
Starting with the winter 2025/26 season, travelers can choose between two distinct Snow Monkey Pass options based on their preferred travel route and sightseeing goals.
Option 1: Snow Monkey Pass for Train / Local Bus
This pass is ideal for visitors who want to combine the monkey park with iconic sightseeing stops along the way.
- Cost: ¥5,100 per adult (13+) / ¥2,550 for children (6-12).
- Validity: 1 day from the date of activation.
- What’s Included:
- Admission: One-time entry to the Snow Monkey Park.
- Train: Unlimited 1-day travel on the Nagano Dentetsu Railway, including non-reserved seats on express trains.
- Local Bus: One round-trip on the Nagaden Local Bus between Yudanaka Station and the Snow Monkey Park bus stop.
- Key Benefit: You can buy this pass online to skip long ticket machine lines at the station. It also allows you to jump off the train to explore destinations like Zenko-ji Temple, Obuse, or Suzaka at no extra cost.
This pass is ideal for visitors who want to combine the monkey park with iconic sightseeing stops along the way.
Key Benefit: You can buy this pass online to skip long ticket machine lines at the station. It also allows you to jump off the train to explore destinations like Zenko-ji Temple, Obuse, or Suzaka at no extra cost.
Option 2: Snow Monkey Pass for Express Bus
This pass is designed for travelers seeking the fastest, most direct route from Nagano Station to the park.
- Cost: ¥6,800 per adult (13+) / ¥3,400 for children (6-12).
- Validity: 1 day from the date of purchase.
- What’s Included:
- Admission: One-time entry to the Snow Monkey Park.
- Express Bus: One round-trip on the Nagaden Snow Monkey Express Bus from Nagano Station East Exit directly to the Snow Monkey Park bus stop.
- Key Note: This pass must be purchased in person at Nagano Station. Because it cannot be bought online, please allow extra time as there may be waiting lines at the "Aruyo" ticket center machines.
How to Purchase Your Snow Monkey Pass
Depending on which pass you choose, you can either buy online to save time or purchase in person at Nagano Station.
Snow Monkey Pass for Train / Local Bus
- Buy Online: You can purchase this version of the Snow Monkey Pass directly below (scroll down to the orange "Buy Your Snow Monkey Pass" button).
- Redemption: Once purchased, you must redeem your voucher at the Nagano Dentetsu office inside Nagano Station.
- Important Date Restriction: Redemption is only available on the specific date selected on your voucher; it cannot be exchanged on any other date. (Please select your preferred date from the calendar when hitting the button below)
- After completing your purchase, you will receive a notification email which will act as your receipt to claim the Snow Monkey Pass at the Nagano Dentetsu office's ticket window inside of Nagano Station.
- Buy In-Person: If you prefer not to buy online, you can purchase this pass at the following Nagaden Line stations: Nagano, Gondo, Suzaka, or Obuse.
Please note you must always go to the Nagano Dentetsu Bus Office to redeem the pass voucher for an actual pass before using the service, regardless of which option you buy.
Also, it is good to note that this pass offers one method of getting to the park, but you can choose to buy all tickets on-site when you reach the location instead of buying the Snow Monkey Pass.
Snow Monkey Pass for Express Bus
- In-Person Only: This pass is not available online and must be bought at the "Aruyo" Nagaden Bus Ticket Center.
- Location: The ticket machines are located on the 1st floor of the Nagano Station East Exit.
- Pro Tip: This area also features coin lockers for travelers who need to store luggage before heading to the park.
Pro Tip: This area also features coin lockers for travelers who need to store luggage before heading to the park.
Location: The ticket machines are located on the 1st floor of the Nagano Station East Exit.
How to Redeem your Snow Monkey Pass Voucher
If you purchased the Snow Monkey Pass for Train / Local Bus online, you must exchange your digital receipt for a physical pass at the Nagano Dentetsu (Nagaden) office inside Nagano Station.
What to Bring for the Exchange
- Printed Travel Voucher: Please print the Snow Monkey Resorts voucher attached to your confirmation email and bring it with you. Current date must match the date of travel on the voucher.
- Valid Identification: The applicant must present a form of ID, such as a driver's license or passport.
- Important Note: If the applicant is not the traveler, please contact our office at +81-(0)26-219-6272 in advance.
Where to Find the Ticket Office
The Nagano Dentetsu office is located on the underground level of Nagano Station. Follow these steps to find it:
- Exit via the Zenkoji Exit: This is the main west exit of the station.
- Find the Escalator: As you walk out toward the bus stops, look for an escalator immediately to your right.
- Go Underground: Take the escalator down and turn left at the bottom.
- Reach the Gate: The Nagaden ticket window and ticket gates are approximately 50 meters ahead on your left.
Office Hours: The ticket window is open daily from 06:00 to 23:20, covering the earliest and latest train services. For urgent inquiries, Nagaden can be reached at +81-(0)26-226-2681.
For most visitors, buying the pass at Nagano Station will be the most convenient option. To access the Nagano Dentetsu ticket window Nagano Station, simply exit the station via the Zenko-ji Exit.
As you walk-out of the station you will see an escalator immediately to your right.
Proceed down the escalator and once at the bottom go to your left. The Nagano Dentetsu line ticket window and machines and ticket gates are approximately 50 metres ahead.
The Nagano Dentetsu office and ticket window at Nagano Station is usually open from 06:00 until 23:20 (in time for the earliest and latest services). Nagaden can be contacted on +81-(0)26-226-2681.
Redemption Policies
- Strict Date Policy: Your pass must be exchanged on the first date of travel listed on your voucher. It cannot be redeemed on any other date.
- Date Changes: If you need to change your travel date, please reply to your confirmation email with the new details prior to your trip.
Other than the Monkey Park, Where Can I Get to Using the Pass?
The Snow Monkey Pass for Train / Local Bus covers both express and local trains services on this line, the pass can take you to any station located on that line between Nagano Station and Yudanaka Station. The pass opens up the following destinations which can be easily combined with a visit to the Snow Monkey Park:
Zenkoji Temple
As one of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Japan, Zenkoji is the spiritual heart of Nagano. It is also one of Japan's most welcoming temples, performing a morning ceremony every day of the year, and offering a range of Buddhist activities for visitors of any faith or background.
The temple can be accessed using the Snow Monkey Pass, via Gondo Station. Take any express or local train service to Gondo, come up to street level and follow the signs to Zenkoji - approximately 10-minutes walk.
Yudanaka & Shibu Onsen
Yudanaka Station is the terminus of the Nagano Dentetsu Line and the nearest train station to the Snow Monkey Park. Located in the center of Yudanaka Onsen, using the pass opens-up some great accommodation options.
Yudanaka Onsen along with nearby Shibu Onsen, are home to numerous ‘ryokan’ (traditional guesthouses), many of which have their own ‘onsen’ (natural hot springs). Staying overnight at one of these guesthouses allows you to experience the traditional comfort and cuisine that Japan is known for.
Shibu Onsen in particular is a quiet and quaint little town with a 1300-year history. Once used to recuperate injured samurai, the town is blessed with numerous onsen sources following into its many guesthouses and 9 public baths.
Obuse
Once an important Edo Period (1603-1868) trading town, Obuse is another little historic town now known for its chestnut confectionaries, sake and miso breweries, and importantly, as home to the Hokusai Museum.
Japan’s most famous artist, Katsushika Hokusai, spent some of this final years in Obuse under the patronage of local merchant Takai Kozan.
It is here that he painted his last great masterpiece – a stunning phoenix – on the ceiling of Gansho-in Temple and Obuse is now also the proud home of a museum dedicated to his life and work.
Suzaka
Another important Edo Period merchant town, Suzaka retains many of its historic buildings and has a quietly emerging food scene and interesting collection of shops. Known as ‘kura’ in Japanese, traditional warehouses are being repurposed for interesting purposes and quietly putting Suzaka on the tourist map while spring sees the town's beautiful cherry blossom trees blooms around the lake of Suzaka Garyu Park - one of Nagano's best cherry blossom spots.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
You do not need to bring a printed version of the travel voucher attached to your confirmation email. Digital copies on phones should be accepted by the staff at the window. Please contact us if you have issues with this.
The Train/Local Bus Pass (¥5,100) is best for flexibility; it can be bought online and allows you to hop on and off the train to visit Zenko-ji Temple or Obuse. The Express Bus Pass (¥6,800) is best for speed; it offers a direct, no-transfer journey from Nagano Station but must be purchased in person at a ticket machine.
No. At this time, only the Train/Local Bus Pass is available for online purchase. If you prefer the Express Bus, you must buy your pass in person at the "Aruyo" ticket machine located at the Nagano Station East Exit.
No. The Snow Monkey Pass is not valid for travel to the Shiga Kogen Ski Resort. It only covers transport as far as the Snow Monkey Park bus stop or Yudanaka Station. If you plan to visit Shiga Kogen, you will need to pay a separate bus fare or use a different pass.
The pass covers your transportation to the start of the trail (Kanbayashi Onsen) and your entry into the park. It does not include a shuttle for the forest trail itself; all visitors must complete the 1.6km (approx. 30-minute) walk through the forest to reach the monkey pool.
No. Both versions of the Snow Monkey Pass are 1-day passes, valid only for the date of purchase (or the specific date selected on your online voucher). They expire at the end of the final service of that calendar day.
Absolutely. While the Snow Monkey Pass is great for independent travelers, it does not include a guide or private transport. For the most stress-free and informative experience, we recommend joining one of our Guided Snow Monkey Tours for a full-day itinerary
Do I need to purchase a Snow Monkey Pass to visit the park?
No, the pass is not mandatory for entry. If you are already staying in the local area (like a ryokan in Shibu or Yudanaka Onsen) or are traveling by private car, you can simply pay the individual admission fee at the park’s ticket window.